Six Chattanooga State Community College students took to the stage to advocate for nonprofit organizations during the third annual Talking Tigers Speech Contest on Friday, April 11. 

While the competition is open to all students, it is arranged by the communications faculty at ChattState and encourages students to use what they’ve learned in speech classes to deliver persuasive speeches to gain support for the nonprofit of their choosing. After three rounds of judging, the top three competitors win $300, $150, and $75, respectively. 

This year, Elyjah Collier won gold with his persuasive speech championing Cultural Survival, a nonprofit organization founded in 1972 that works globally to preserve Indigenous languages, traditions, and rights. Silver went to musician Briley Wear, who touted the Jazz Foundation of America, and Genevieve Carlton’s speech about the Chattanooga Ballet snagged her the bronze medal. 

Elyjah “Two Feathers” Collier: Preserving Indigenous Identity with Cultural Survival 

Collier explained how laws and policies targeting Native American traditions led to generational loss and continued hardship. His solution? Cultural Survival—a nonprofit organization founded in 1972 that works globally to preserve Indigenous languages, traditions, and rights. Collier detailed the organization’s four-part mission—grantmaking, advocacy, communications, and capacity building—and urged the audience to support the cause. “Without cultural identity, people become lost,” he said. 

Briley Wear: Supporting Jazz Musicians Through Life’s Challenges 

Wear shared her passion for music and the struggles that many musicians face behind the scenes. A jazz musician herself, Wear introduced the Jazz Foundation of America, a nonprofit that provides vital support for musicians in need. The foundation, she said, champions musicians by creating access to education, job placement, medical care, and disaster relief. She encouraged the audience to support musicians by purchasing music directly from the Foundation’s website and spreading awareness of their cause. “By protecting art like music,” she said, “you are not only helping yourself, but those around you.” 

Genevieve Carlton: Making Dance Accessible for All 

Genevieve Carlton, a dancer trained at Chattanooga Ballet, offered a heartfelt plea for support of the nonprofit dance organization that helped shape her. Emphasizing the emotional and psychological benefits of dance, Carlton said economic barriers prevent many from accessing dance education, a problem solved by Chattanooga Ballet’s affordable classes. The organization also offers financial aid. Carlton called on her audience to attend live performances donate, volunteer, or simply share the organization's mission. “You cannot put a price on art,” Carlton concluded. “Now is the time to ignite the potential of future artists in our community.” 

Talking Tigers is organized by ChattState speech professors April Kidd and Dr. Trae Cotton, along with the college’s communication department.  

"Talking Tigers is more than just a competition; it's a platform for our students to amplify their voices and advocate for causes they believe in,” Kidd said. "The diversity of causes represented in Talking Tigers reflects the wide range of issues that our students are passionate about addressing in society."